Roll, Kick and Swing for the Fences

Chattanooga has always been known as somewhat of a sports town. Some great talent has lived in and come out of our own back yard. Great athletes like Reggie White, Terrell Owens and Joey Votthas have played sports right here in the Chattanooga area. Some of you are probably wondering, “ What is this guy talking about?” Well, I’ll tell you. As we approach summer, there are a lot of well known (and some hidden gems) of the sports world coming up that will give the anyone looking for something to do on the weekend, including diehard sports fans, the chance to have a great time this summer.

I begin with the Chattanooga Roller Girls. If you are looking for some hard-hitting, exciting action and want to get loud and rowdy—this is the place for you. With tickets prices $10 in advance from your favorite Roller Girl, or $12 at the door, it’s a very affordable night out and guaranteed fun. Also, if you show up early enough, you can get the best seats in the house—but these aren’t for the young ones or for the faint of heart. The “suicide seating” is next to the rink, and puts you right in the middle of the action. Some home bouts coming up are listed below, so go check out the Chattanooga Roller Girls at their home, the Chattanooga Convention Center. Also check out chattanoogarollergirls.com for more details.

June 29: Home vs. Atlanta Rumble B’s

August 10: Home vs. Greenville Derby Dames

As we move on, we now check out the Chattanooga FC (football club). If you are into to screaming, “GOAL!!!!!!”at the top of your lungs, this is where you need to be. This is another affordable night out in Chattanooga with ticket prices for ages 6 and up being a measly $5 (kids age 5 and under get in for free). Not to mention season tickets are only $25— or purchase a Chattanooga FC jersey for $79 and get free admission to every home game. The cool thing about that is that the jersey is your ticket—also you’ll fit right in with the club’s superfans, the Chattahooligans. For all the details on Chattanooga FC, including buying tickets, check out chattanoogafc.com. Below, I’ve listed some of the upcoming home games.

May 25: Home vs. Mississippi Storm

June 15: Home vs. Knoxville Force

June 22: Home vs. Gulfcoast Texans

Now, on to Chattanooga’s most classic summer sports attraction: The Chattanooga Lookouts. One of my favorite comments in Chattanooga sports, is, “It's way back…heading toward the wall…Goodbye, baseball!!” The Lookouts are a Double AA major league baseball affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Throughout the season the Lookouts have many special promotion games that are a great community service to the Chattanooga area (and also really fun) such as Bi Lo BOGO Nights, Kids Eat free Nights, Military Appreciation Nights, and a whole lot of fireworks. It’s a great atmosphere for the family and kids of all age are welcome. This year, nine of the top 20 prospects in the Los Angeles Dodgers’ organization play for the Lookouts, including Cuban outfielder Yasiel Puig, number-two Dodger prospect, pitcher Zach Lee, and outfielder and 2012 Dodgers' Branch Rickey Minor League Player of the Year Joc Pederson . You could be seeing the next great star of the big leagues! To celebrate America’s oldest summer pastime, head to AT&T Field and take in a Chattanooga Lookouts baseball game. Also check out chattanoogalookouts.com for a complete season schedule and to keep up with all for favorite Lookouts players.

June 2: Breakin’ Bboy McCoy is back with all his robotics.

June 4: National Park Night with “homer hankies” and Civil War re-enactors.

June 5: Bi-Lo BOGO—prizes galore!

These are just a few of the wonderful attractions, sports-wise, that Chattanooga has to offer. Get out and explore all Chattanooga sports! You never know—you could walk up after a game and get the autograph of a future Hall of Fame player, or have the experience that make s a memory that will last a lifetime. So when the last second ticks off the clock, or the last pitch in the bottom of the ninth is a walk off homerun, don’t be the person that says, “Man, I wish I had been there.” Be the person who was there!